Project Mentor
Dr. Sarvenaz Sarabipour
Department of Center for Cell Analysis & Modeling, Cell Biology, Center for Vascular Biology, Biomedical engineering, Molecular Biology & Biophysics
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | This project will involve building computational models of membrane protein (receptor) interactions in human cells. We will study trafficking, phosphorylation, and signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) and their ligands in blood vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells. Cellular signaling mediated by these receptors plays key roles in vascular and tissue functions such as wound healing, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vasculogenesis. Our models will be detailed in biophysical/biochemical interactions between receptors and ligands. Our simulations will shed new light on mechanisms of receptor signaling in vasculature. |
| Project Direction | The project will expand to include multiple VEGFR ligands and co-receptors in human endothelial cells. We will couple our models to biochemical/biological experimental studies to better understand the receptor interactions systems. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | I plan to meet with all my lab members at least once a week on a one-on-one basis, encouraging them to share their research progress, questions, ideas, thoughts and concerns with me. I aim to maintain a clear mentee-mentor expectations dialogue and a lab expectation manual that I have prepared and will regularly update with my research group. The interdisciplinary nature of my research makes me capable of mentoring students with a wide range of interests in biological and computational research. I have mentored students interested in careers ranging from medicine, and cell biology to biomedical engineering, and computer science. My research program contains a wide range of smaller projects nested within larger projects, which will make it easy to split appropriately-sized projects for undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. |
| Student Qualifications | coursework in Cell Biology, Biophysics/Biochemistry, and computational skills such as programming or data analysis using Matlab, R, or Python is preferred. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Research Dates: May 18 to July 24, 2026 Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am through 5pm |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2026, Spring 2027 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 6 hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU26-31. The application deadline is Monday, February 16, 2026.
This application requires a resume or CV, an unofficial transcript, GPA and science GPA minimum, and a brief statement of research interests. References should be available upon request.